Legendary sci-fi artist Syd Mead reported dead at 86

The futurist and artist Syd Mead died today, according to auto industry veteran John McElroy and other associates of his, but there's no confirmation from official sources even as the legendary designer tops the list of trending topics. The rumors were enough to get countless fans and peers posting the legendary designer's work on social media.

"I've called science fiction 'reality ahead of schedule,'" wrote Mead; hopefully the obits are arriving before his time, too.

UPDATE: A post on the Official Syd Mead Fan Page on Facebook also reports his death.

Mead's work powers the visionary qualities of movies such as Blade Runner, Tron, Star Trek The Motion Picture, Aliens and Elysium, but his work as a designer for automaker Ford and electronics company Philips are just as influential. His is a body of work truly without end.

Former Boing Boing editor Joel Johnson interviewed Mead for Boing Boing TV and recalls meeting the master.

It is my great honor to say I have a Syd Mead story. pic.twitter.com/XIFTSWFb3g

— Joel, (@joeljohnson) December 30, 2019

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